Santa Maria del Mexicano de Colon, QRO. I.A.P.

APDO. Postal No. 13, C.P. 76270

Colon, Queretaro, Mexico

To dial phone direct from U.S. 011 52 429 20245

Direct FAX from U.S. 011 52 429 20046

Mexico: LADA (91-429) 20248

DEAR FRIENDS AND BENEFACTORS: Christmas 1996

Once again we are about to celebrate the beautiful Feast of the Birth of Our Lora and Savior. You all are very close to us in our thoughts and prayers during this time. Our "little ones"asked if they could also send a note along to you. The following are just a few of the beautiful thoughts they have of you. Not only during the Christmas Season but also during the entire year.

Padre Cliff "Antonio" Norman

Hello, my name is Alejandra, I am twelve years old and I am happy at Casa de Niñas. I have been here four years. I go to school. I have lots of friends and the Sisters are good to us. My parents are separated because my mother left us and went with-another man. She left all of us (six) with our grandmother who lives in a ranch but they are very poor and could not support us. My father has a drinking problem and he is not responsible. All of us have been here with Padre Antonio who has become our father and mother and we love him very much. He would not be able take care of us either if was not for all of you good people. I want to say thank you and we will especially pray for ll of you during Christmas Day- May God take care of you and your families and pray for us. Alejandra Velasquez Torres

Hello, my name is Ana Paola, I am nine years old and have been at the Casa de niñas for three years. I have one small sister who is with me now. This is her first year here. My mother is very young and she loves us but she has to work and can't take care of us because we don't have a house. She lives where she works. We were at the Casa de Cuna since we were born until we turned six and then we came here. We are happy here. I like to go to school, and I get all A's in my classes. My favorite class is math. Thank you for caring about us and for helping Father take care of us. I have padrinos in the United States who send a gift for my birthday. I love all of you and thank you and play for you every day. You are very important to us.

Ana Paola Gudino Valencia

Hello, my name is Teresa, I am eleven years old and have been here at Casa de Niñas for two years. I have two other sisters here also. One is older then me and the other is younger. We came here because our grandmother brought us. Our mother has many problems and she could not take cars of us I would like to invite all of you to come visit us so we can meet you and thank you in person for all that you do for us. Father Antonio is very good to us and he also corrects us when we don't behave. We suffered a lot before we came to Casa de Niñas because our grandmother is very poor and sick. We have a very happy Christmas here. We will pray for you and your families during Christmas Day Mass. Teresa Meras

Hello, my name is Milagros, I am eleven years old. I have been in the Casa de Niñas three months and I like being here because I have many friends and I like going to school. I am in fifth grade. Thank you for the help you give Father Antonio, he is able to buy everything that we need. I would like to meet all of you, can you come visit us? We have prayer time everyday and so we pray for all of you and your families everyday. I hope you have a very happy Christmas.

Maria Milagros Rodriguez Garcia

Hello, my name is Yolanda, I am 15 years old and am in the sixth grade. I have been in Casa de Niñas since I was eight years old. My mother left me with my grandmother and she gave me to Father Antonio because she could not take care of me. I used to beg with my grandmother but now because of all of you we have plenty of food and all that we need. Christmas at Casa de Niñas is a very happy time. I did not know what Christmas meant or how happy I could be until I came here. We pray for all of you everyday. Father Antonio tells us to pray for all of you everyday. Thank you for caring for us.

Yolanda Pacheco

Hello, my name is Diego, I am ten years old. I am from Mexico City, D.F. I arrived with a friend a year ago in Queretaro and since my friend was sick we went to a Clinic and from there we were brought to Casa de Niños. My friend ran away after one week but I stayed because I did not want to return to my parents house because they are both drug addicts and my father does very.bad things to me and because I don't like being on the street anymore. Last December was my first happy Christmas. I had never received a gift before and we were all very happy because all of you make this possible for us. Father Antonio takes good care of us, we have plenty of good food,and cloths. I am very happy (in Casa de Niños. Thank you and we pray for all of you.--everyday.

Diego Martinez

Hello, my name is Carlos, I am seven years old. I arrived at Casa de Niños when I was only two years old. I have two brothers here with me also. I don't know who my parents are because they have never been to see us. Father Antonio is my only dad and I love him a lot. I want to say "thank you" for helping Father take care of us. We are happy because we have everything we need and because those who take care of us love us very much. Father tells us to pray for all of you and we do, and that you are all very generous people and that we must always thank God for each of you. Carlos Polo Duran

Hello, my name is Jose, I am ten years old. I am from Queretaro. My mother died five years ago and I was with my grandparents but they could not take care of me anymore because I would not obey them and wanted to be in the street with my friends doing bad things. My sister brought me to Casa de Niños two years ago and I am happy here. Since I arrived no one has been to visit me except my sister who comes once or twice a year because she is very young and has other things to do and does not have time to come see me. I am happy to be here and I don't want to leave until I get older and can take care of myself. Thank you for being so good to us and I wish you could come visit us and play with us, we are very good at playing futbol(soccer). We pray for you everyday and I want you to know that although we are children we are grateful for all that you do for us.

Jose Antonio Valencia

Hello, my name is Eduardo, I am eight years old. I have been at Casa de Niños for two years because somebody killed my mother and my grandmother did not have money to support us and she is sick and can't take care of us. I have two brothers here with me. We are happy to be here and thank you for all that you do for us. I like school very much, I am the best student in my class and get all A's. This is my second Christmas here at Casa de Niños and I am really excited because we get gifts and good food. The Posadas are fun, and I wish all of you could come spend Christmas with us and play with us. Thank you all for being so good to us and we pray for all of you everyday and I want to say also Thank-You.

Eduardo Zapatero

May God Bless each and every one of you. Having you as family is our most precious Christmas gift.

Love and Prayers, Father Clifford "Antonio" Norman